BCN Series - Part 2: Message

 Hello! Yesterday, I covered the event of BCN: What to bring, the rules, the activities, and all the more technical things. Now, in part 2 of the Bible Camp National Series, I will discuss what the subject and learning is about. Also, in the same day as Part 2: The Message, will be Part 3: Music, where I will just list some songs used throughout Bible Camp National.

Before starting to read this blog, you should read BCN Part 1 first, because it'll be more clear. Here's a short summary on what BCN is for those who did not want to read the first part: it is an evangelical summer camp hosted by GRII taking place in GRII Pusat, lasting 2 nights and 3 mornings.

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Ok, let's begin. First, we need to discuss this year's BCN title:

"Kasihilah Tuhan dan Rajakan Yesus"

"Love God and Crown Jesus"

The special part of this year's title is the latter section: Rajakan Yesus (Kasihilah Tuhan is usually used as the starting words of a BCN title. Last year's topic also started with Kasihilah Tuhan, so we will pay attention more to the second part: Rajakan Yesus, or make Jesus King.)

First, what does "king" mean? The word king in this occasion refers to the kings of our hearts (hearts here meaning the religious meaning of heart, of course), which is like the "controller" or "ruler" of our hearts, which is the hub of our actions, thoughts, and feelings. The sermon said that your heart is like a palace in a way - there is a king over it.

Throughout BCN, we learned how the king of our hearts should be: God/Jesus. And what should NOT be the king of our hearts are other things, sin, and evil. Why? God/Jesus is the perfect king, but since we sin, now evil is in charge. So, we must "open the door" for Jesus to enter our hearts by accepting His Word and doing according to it.

Also throughout all the sessions of BCN, we went through the bible for examples of Godly and Ungodly kings. Let's look at what is a "godly" or "ungodly" king first, and study the characteristics of a godly king. Acoording to Deuteronomy 17, where it discusses the characteristics of a ruler that God wants, these are the characteristics of a good king to God, in this case for Israel:

- mustn't be a foreigner

- must revere and follow God

- must not be greedy and take many possesions 

- be humble 

One of the examples of a godly and ungodly king stated in one of the BCN sessions were David and Saul. Saul, at first humble, eventually became proud and didn't follow God's instructions properly. How did Saul become king? During the time of Samuel, the Israelites really, desperately wanted a king over them, to lead them in battle. Samuel warned them the king would be oppressive, but the people still wanted it. They chose Saul, a tall and good-looking person. This "good" king acoording to man was clearly not a very good king.

In the beginning of Saul's reign, he was at first meek and didn't feel ready to be king, but he became more arrogant and he abused his power, and he feared man more than God - when he was waiting for Samuel to burn a burnt offering before battle, he was impatient, and since his soldiers has scattered, he did it before Samuel left, and he was rebuked. Because of his disobedience to God and his selfishness, he was rejected by God. Therefore, God told Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to choose a king.

Jesse had eight children - among them were ones that were tall, strong, and attractive - but the one that was chosen was the youngest shepherd boy David, who was chosen by God. God chooses someone from their insides, not their outsides. David had many accomplishments - he killed Goliath, became king of Israel, took Jerusalem and moved the ark of the covenant there, expanded the land of Israel greatly, and won many battles. Though he did have two major sins (the murder of Uriah for Bathsheba and the counting of his soldiers, since he will win with God, not manpower) he was a great king of Israel.

In our hearts, there's a similar meaning: God will be a great king over your heart, while ungodly things will make you sin.

 Another part in BCN is who Jesus is: the king of the Universe. To angels, he is the King of Victory, to us, the King of Redemption, and to people in hell, the Righteous Judge.

God made us to rule over the world as little kings, but since we sinned, we became sinful and evil. However, God sent the perfect king to die for us. Worldly kings without God are powerless - and at any moment, God can take the power from any person if they disobey him or elevate their power above His.

An example on God's strength to destroy any nation, no matter its power or influence in mere moments is in the book of Daniel, especially in Daniel 5. The Empire of Babylon was vast and at its day was extremely powerful - the city of Ancient Babylon was amazing, even in this day it looks like an amazing monument if rebuilt. However, Babylon's kings were proud and the people of Babylon were evil, so God brought an end to them.

How did he do this? After King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, King Belshazzar became king. He hosted a lavish feast, but then a human-like finger wrote on the wall some text. 

The text basically said, "God has judged you and will destroy your empire.". And soon after, the armies of Media and Persia invaded and quickly destroyed the whole empire. This shows God's power. Furthermore, it says that once Jesus comes back, New Babylon (all the sinful worldly kingdoms) will be destroyed and judged.

During the night service, Stephen Tong gave us an analogy: a conversation between two people, someone who goes to Heaven, and one who is under the world. The person who is under the world says to the one of Heaven: How can you join heaven, and why can't I? The person who goes to heaven replies, "Since I crown God as king of my heart.". The person who is from under the world said to the person that went to heaven, "How did you crown God as king?". The person who went to heaven tells him that he admitted that Jesus defeated sin and death. The person who is in the bottom of the world said, "How, and why?". The heaven person responded, "Because the Holy Spirit guided me to open the door of my heart for Jesus, and I became a true Child of God.". There is only one type of people that enter heaven: The ones that invite Jesus to enter their hearts and cleanse their heart and soul.". People who enter heaven are made higher than angels by God.

Also in the night service is this question: "If God has already won, then why do we sin and why does satan still exist and tempt people?". It's because God temporarily kept him until Jesus returned for the second time, where he would be destroyed. However, He has already sealed the victory. Also, many people argue like "God hasn't won because there are so many people that deny His power and existence." God has won, but he doesn't force people to accept him. That amount is unrelated.

In the night service, it was also said that there are many people who misunderstand God, and that is dangerous, so here are 5 steps you must take to ensure you understand God:

1. Read the true Holy Bible every day. Why? By reading the Bible, you can gain knowledge about God, and know what is false and correct truly according to God.

2. Join a correct sermon. Why? If you listen to incorrect or corrupt pastors or enter untrue churches you won't hear the proper word of God, and might follow the wrong ways.

3. Always pray towards God. This is so God can protect and answer you.

4. Live a holy life, and not fall into temptation.

5. Spread the gospel to other people.

If you follow these five things, God will take care of you. Let's move on to the next topic :

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Let's the morning devotions now:

First Morning Devotion: "Raja Di Atas Segala Raja"/ "King Above All Kings"

Source: Daniel 2:47

In the first morning, the morning devo was about how God is the most powerful king. The story is situated in Daniel 2, specifically verse 47. During this time, the king of Babylon had a dream, and Daniel interpreted it. The dream basically said that after Babylon would be more kingdoms, but all these worldly empires would be destroyed eventually by the Kingdom of God. How to become a citizen of God's kingdom? We must crown Jesus as king and accept the Gospel.

Second Morning Devotion: "Raja Di Atas Alam Semesta"/ "King Above the Universe"

Source: Mark 4:35-41

In the second morning, the morning devo was how that Jesus is above the universe. The story displayed with this lesson is located in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus was on a ship with his disciples crossing the sea of Galilee. Soon, a great storm of waves came, and the disciples were afraid and shocked. Alarmed, they woke up Jesus, but he calmed the waves. The disciples were shocked at this, for they didn't know Jesus' power over the whole universe, including nature.

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So, those are both of the morning devotions. They help bolster the idea of Jesus/God's power over human kings and the universe. Now, let's look at three famous paintings depicting three moments in history, featured in the BCN book:

The first one, named "The Triumphal Entry", by Bernhard Plockhorst is a beautiful representation of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem for the fourth time, shortly before his death. Here, he is represented as riding on a donkey, passing by the gates of Jerusalem, with Jews on his left and right cheering and waving leaves at him. But wait, why a donkey specifically? For a long time, many Jews thought of the upcoming savior/king as a warrior king who would save them against their enemies. However, Jesus was a king of peace, and donkeys, unlike horses were unfit for war. This emphasizes that Jesus was the savior of Peace. 

Special question for this painting: If you lived there, what was your response to the entry of Jesus, and would you welcome him?

Special verse: Isaiah 9:6

(In this verse, it describes the Messiah as the Prince of Peace, among many other titles)

The second one, The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, by Rembrandt van Rjin was about the story on Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus calmed the waves. The painting shows a sailboat on a lake being threateaned by harsh waves, with unforgiving clouds in the sky. Inside the ship we can see the disciples and Jesus. This is an image version of the previous morning devotion about the almighty power of God. Also, fun fact: There are fourteen men on the ship? Wait, if Jesus and the disciples only numbered thirteen, then who is the fourteenth? Rembrandt actually included himself.

Special question for this painting: If you were one of the disciples on the ship, would you fear?

Special verse: Jeremiah 32:17

The third one, called "The Triumph of Christianity over Paganism", by Gustave Dore is an incredible painting. In the top is Jesus with a wooden cross, along with hundreds of winged angels armed with swords coming to defeat the idols and false gods of paganism below - we can also see Zeus as one of the false gods, one of the gods the Ancient Greeks worshipped. This shows how God will end all false beliefs.

Special question: What else can you learn from this painting?

Special verse:Exodus 22:20

Those are all the three paintings. And that seems to be the summarized message of BCN! Stay tuned for the third part of the BCN series also coming today: BCN Musics, both in Indonesian and English.